28 May 2010

Tory Muslim Forum Objects To Term “Islamist”

Pickled Politics has published a particularly idiotic article by Mohammad Amin, of the Conservative Muslim Forum, who I believe is also a contender for the leadership of the Muslim Council of Britain.

....It is very clear that “Islamism” is a term that is used extensively by Islamists to describe themselves. It would be very odd were we to stop using that term, while the Islamists continued to do so. The problem with Islamism isn’t the nature of the word. It is the nature of the ideology. I am not sure whether Mohammed Amin “gets” that. [Harry’s Place] Read more

Why we need to stop using the word “Islamism” .... It is quite possible that from the perspective of a political science academic, the word “Islamism” might still retain some valid semantic content. However, what academics say to each other in ivory tower university campuses is irrelevant in this context. What matters is politicians using language which multiplies our enemies and which increases the real dangers and threats which we face as a nation.

[Comment] .... Interesting isn’t it that there is no Conservative Christian Forum or Conservative Hindu Forum or Conservative Sikh Forum – but there is a Conservative Muslim Forum. So does that mean all these other groups have been so well integrated in society that these don’t need groups or is it because Muslims need special handling. If the latter is the case why do they need special handling? [Pickled Politics] Read more

“Islamism”: Offended By Terminology .... Amin is apparently opposed to the use of term “Islamism” because he believes it conflates violent jihadi extremism with the peaceful mobilisation of democratic political parties composed of “devout” muslims. Presumably he is opposed to violent jihad as a means to take over political institutions but supports the second methodology which advocates the organisation of muslims using peaceful democratic means. [The Spittoon] Read more